Papillomavirus polyprotein constructs

ABSTRACT

Peptides, antibodies and recombinant expression systems or cells that contain and express a DNA insert of HPV encoding a region of a papilloma induced or a papilloma protein, such as E6 or E7, are produced. Compositions containing these peptides, antibodies and/or recombinant cells are utilized as immunogenic compositions and in methods for inhibiting and treating HPV infection and tumor initiation and progression. Specific peptides and recombinant cells, such as vaccinia virus and tumor cells, that express epitopic regions of the HPV16 E6 or E7 nucleoprotein are particularly described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to polyprotein constructs and in particular polyprotein constructs comprising a plurality of papillomavirus (PV) amino acid sequences which may be used in compositions for eliciting an immune response against PV, and particularly human papillomavirus (HPV), in a host animal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Papillomaviruses induce benign hyperproliferative lesions in humans and in many animal species, some of which undergo malignant conversion. The biology of papillomavirus infection is summarised in a review by J. P. Sundberg, entitled “Papillomavirus Infections in Animals” In “Papillomaviruses and Human Disease” edited by K. Syrjanen, L. Gissmann and L. G. Koss, Springer Verlag (1987).

Papillomaviruses are a family of small DNA viruses encoding up to eight early (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7 and E8) and two late genes (L1 and L2). These viruses have been classified in several distinct groups such as HPV which are differentiated into types 1 to ˜70 depending upon DNA sequence homology. A clinicopathological grouping of HPV and the malignant potential of the lesions with which they are most frequently associated are summarised in “Papillomaviruses and Human Cancer” by H. Pfister, CRC Press, Inc. (1990). For example, HPV type 1 (HPV-1) is present in plantar warts, HPV-6 or HPV-11 are associated with condylomata acuminata (anogenital warts), and HPV-16 or HPV-18 are common in pre-malignant and malignant lesions of the cervical squamous epithelium.

The immunological approach to the prevention of HPV disease requires a thorough analysis of the viral proteins against which humoral and cellular immune responses are mounted during and after infection. However, despite recent limited success (Kreider et al., 1986, J. Virol., 59, 369; Sterling et al., 1990, J. Virol., 64, 6305; Meyers et al., 1992, Science, 257, 971; Dollard et al., 1992, Genes and Development, 6, 1131), papillomaviruses are notoriously refractory to growth in cultured cells (Teichaman and LaPorta, 1987 In “The Papovaviridae”, Vol 2 edited by N. P. Salzman and P.M. Howley, p.109). As a consequence, the lack of viral reagents has delayed the analysis of the immune response to PV infection.

The recent advent of recombinant expression systems in vitro has allowed the production of viral proteins encoded by both early and late genes in relatively large amounts and in a purified form (Tindle et al., 1990, J. Gen. Virol., 71, 1347; Jarrett et al., 1991, Virology, 184, 33; Ghim et al., 1992, Virology, 190, 548; Stacey et al., 1991, J. Gen. Virol., 73, 2337). These systems have, for the first time, allowed the analysis of the host immune response to these viral proteins.

Interest in immune responses to the non-structural early open reading frame (ORF) proteins of HPV has centred on HPV-16 E7 because of an apparent association between serum antibodies to this protein and cervical cancer (for a review, see “Immune Response to Human Papillomaviruses and the Prospects of Human Papillomavirus-Specific Immunisation” by Tindle and Frazer In “Human Pathogenic Papillomaviruses” edited by H. zur Hausen, Current Topics in Microbiology Immunology, 186, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1994).

The immune responses to other HPV early ORF proteins have also been investigated including HPV-16 E6 (Stacey et al., 1992, J. Gen. Virol., 73, 2337; Bleul et al., 1991, J. Clin. Microbiol., 29, 1579; Dillner, 1990, Int. J. Cancer, 46, 703; and Müller et al., 1992, Virology, 187, 508), HPV-16 E2 (Dillner et al., 1989 Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci.USA, 86, 3838; Dillner, 1990, supra; Lehtinen et al., 1992, J. Med. Virol., 37, 180; Mann et al., 1990, Cancer Res., 50, 7815; and Jenison et al., 1990, J. Infect. Dis., 162, 60) and HPV-16 E4 (Köchel et al., 1991, Int. J. Cancer, 48, 682; Jochmus-Kudielka et al., 1989, JNCI, 81, 1698; and Barber et al., 1992, Cancer Immunol. Immunother., 35, 33). However, comparison of these studies reveals a lack of correlation between the results of the various assays which have been used in assessing HPV early ORF protein reactivity in serum (Tindle and Frazer, 1994, supra).

In addition, antibodies to other HPV early ORF proteins have not yet been sought with sufficient rigour in large enough numbers of patients to determine their utility as disease markers or as indicators of HPV protein immunogenicity following HPV infection.

A problem associated with immunising animals with preparations of individual PV proteins is that most of these proteins are comparatively small and might therefore not comprise many reactive epitopes. In addition, immunodominance of particular B or T cell epitopes within a single PV protein would vary presumably between animals of different major histocompatibility (MHC) backgrounds. To this end, the efficacy of such immunogens, in respect of eliciting an immune response against PV, might be expected to differ between animals of diverse MHC background.

In addition, there is surprisingly little knowledge regarding which PV proteins are expressed by infected cells at various stages of differentiation, and hence it is not possible to predict which proteins will be responsible for defining appropriate immunological targets.

The present invention provides a polyprotein construct comprising a plurality of PV early ORF proteins in one fused or linked construct to improve the efficacy of immune stimulation against PV infection and to avoid the need to define specific immunological targets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides as an isolated product, a polyprotein construct comprising at least two amino acid sequences fused directly or indirectly together, each of said sequences being the sequence of an early open reading frame (ORF) protein of papillomavirus (PV) or an immunogenic variant or fragment thereof, and at least one of said sequences being other than the E6 or E7 protein sequence or an immunogenic variant or fragment thereof.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a composition for eliciting a humoral and/or cellular immune response against PV in a host animal, said composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of a construct as described above, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent.

In yet another aspect, this invention provides a method for eliciting a humoral and/or cellular response against PV in a host animal, which method comprises administering to the host animal an immunologically effective amount of a polyprotein construct as described above. In a related aspect, the invention also extends to use of such a polyprotein construct in eliciting an immune response against PV in a host animal. Preferably, the host animal is a human, however the host animal may also be a non-human mammal.

The present invention also extends to a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide construct as broadly described above. Such a nucleic acid molecule may be delivered to a host animal in a nucleic acid vaccine composition with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent, for expression of the encoded polyprotein construct in vivo in a host animal. Alternatively, the nucleic acid molecule may be included in a recombinant DNA molecule comprising an expression control sequence operatively linked to the nucleic acid molecule.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group or integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “polyprotein construct” as used herein is used to describe a protein construct made up of individual proteins that have been joined together in a sequence whereby they retain their original relevant biological activities.

The term “isolated” as used herein denotes that the polyprotein construct has undergone at least one purification or isolation step, and preferably is in a form suitable for administration to a host animal.

By use of the term “immunologically effective amount” herein in the context of treatment of PV infection, it is meant that the administration of that amount to an individual PV infected host, either in a single dose or as part of a series, that is effective for treatment of PV infection. By the use of the term “immunologically effective amount” herein in the context of prevention of PV infection, it is meant that the administration of that amount to an individual host, either in a single dose or as part of a series, that is effective to delay, inhibit, treat or prevent PV infection or disease. The effective amount varies depending upon the health and physical condition of the individual to be treated, the taxonomic group of individual to be treated, the capacity of the individual's immune system to synthesise antibodies, the degree of protection desired, the formulation of the immunogen, the assessment of the medical situation, and other relevant factors. It is expected that the amount will fall in a relatively broad range that can be determined through routine trials.

Preferably, the amino acid sequences in the polyprotein construct substantially correspond to the sequences of wild-type early ORF proteins of PV, including allelic or other variants thereof. Suitable variants include variants having single or multiple amino acid substitutions or additions to the wild-type sequences, and may have at least 50-60%, more preferably at least 70-80%, and most preferably at least 90%, similarity to the wild-type amino acid sequences, provided the variant is capable of eliciting an immune response against PV in a host animal. The amino acid sequences may also be immunogenic fragments of the wild-type early ORF proteins, that is fragments of the proteins which are capable of eliciting an immune response in a host animal. Suitably, the immunogenic fragment will comprise at least five, and more preferably at least ten, contiguous amino acid residues of the particular protein. Such immunogenic fragments may also be recognised by PV-specific antibodies, particularly antibodies which have a protective or therapeutic effect in relation to PV infection. Preferably, the immunogenic fragment is a non-full length fragment of a wild-type amino acid sequence, which may for example comprise a deletion mutant of an early ORF protein corresponding to at least 50%, more preferably 60-70%, and even 80-90% of the full length wild-type amino acid sequence.

The amino acid sequences in the polyprotein construct of the present invention may be selected from the group consisting of the E1, E2, E3, E4, E5 (E5a, E5b), E6, E7 and E8 proteins of PV, and may be included in the construct in any desired order. By way of example, the construct may be selected from the group consisting of:

(a) E6/E4

(b) E6/E5a/E4

(c) E6/E7/E4

(d) E6/E7/E5a/E4

(e) E6/E7/E1/E4

(f) E6/E7/E5a/E1/E4

(g) E6/E7/E5a/E1/E2/E4

(h) E6/E7/E5a/E5b/E1/E2/E4

(i) E2/E5b

(j) E2/E1/E5b

(k) E2/E5a/E5b

(I) E2/E1/E5a/E5b

(m) E2/E4/E5a/E5b/E6/E7/E1

(n) E2/E3/E4/E5/E8/E6/E7/E1.

As described above, at least one of the early ORF proteins is other than the E6 or E7 proteins. Preferably one of the early ORF proteins in the construct is the E4 protein.

The polyprotein constructs of this invention preferably comprise at least three, and more preferably three, four or five early ORF protein sequences. In addition, two or more different polyprotein constructs based on different combinations of early ORF proteins and/or different PV genotypes may be included in a single composition for prophylactic or therapeutic use.

In the polyprotein constructs of this invention, the amino acid sequences may be fused or linked directly together. Alternatively, they may be linked with a linker sequence of from 1 to 50, preferably 1 to 20, and more preferably 1 to 5, amino acid residues between the separate amino acid sequences. By way of example, such a linker sequence may be an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence comprising a restriction endonuclease site. Linker sequences as described above may also be provided before and/or after the amino acid sequences in the polyprotein constructs.

The polyprotein constructs of this invention may also comprise a tag protein or peptide moiety fused or otherwise coupled thereto to assist in purification of the polyprotein construct. Suitable tag moieties include, for example, (SEQ ID. NO:47) (His)₆, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and FLAG (International Biotechnologies), with the (His)₆ tag moiety being preferred. The constructs may further comprise a component to enhance the immunogenicity of the polyprotein. The component may be an adjuvant such as diphtheria or cholera toxin or E. coli heat labile toxin (LT), or a non-toxic derivative thereof such as the holotoxoid or B subunit of cholera toxin or LT. In addition, the polyprotein construct of the invention may comprise a lipid binding region to facilitate incorporation into ISCOMs. Suitable lipid binding regions are disclosed by way of example in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PN8867/96, dated Mar. 25, 1996. A preferred lipid binding region is an influenza haemagglutinin tail.

The present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising sequence of nucleotides which encodes a polyprotein construct as broadly described above.

The nucleic acid molecule may be RNA or DNA, single stranded or double stranded, in linear or covalently closed circular form. It will be appreciated that the sequence of nucleotides of this aspect of the invention may be obtained from natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic sources; furthermore, this nucleotide sequence may be a naturally-occurring sequence, or it may be related by mutation, including single or multiple base substitutions, deletions, insertions and inversions, to such a naturally-occurring sequence, provided always that the nucleic acid molecule comprising such a sequence is capable of being expressed as a polyprotein construct as described herein.

The nucleotide sequence may have expression control sequences positioned adjacent to it, such control sequences being derived from either a homologous or a heterologous source.

Since nucleic acid molecules may be delivered directly as “naked DNA” to a host animal, (see, for example, Wolfe et al., 1990, Science 247:1465 and Fynan et al., 1993, Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:11478), the present invention also includes a nucleic acid vaccine composition comprising a nucleic acid molecule as described above, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent.

Immunisation with an isolated nucleic acid molecule allows in vivo synthesis of the encoded polyprotein construct by the host animal in a manner similar to the manner in which PV proteins are expressed during infection by PV. In this aspect, the present invention also extends to a method for eliciting an immune response against PV in a host animal, which method comprises administering to the host animal an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid molecule as described above. The invention also extends to use of such a nucleic acid molecule in eliciting an immune response against PV in a host animal.

This invention also provides a recombinant DNA molecule comprising an expression control sequence having promoter and initiator sequences, the nucleotide sequence encoding the polyprotein construct being located 3′ to the promoter and initiator sequences and a terminator sequence located 3′ to this sequence of nucleotides. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a recombinant DNA cloning vehicle such as a plasmid capable of expressing the polyprotein construct, as well as a host cell containing a recombinant DNA cloning vehicle and/or a recombinant DNA molecule as described above.

Suitable expression control sequences and host cell/cloning vehicle combinations are well known in the art, and are described by way of example, in Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. Thus, the nucleotide sequence may be ligated into any suitable expression vector, which may be either a prokaryotic or eukaryotic expression vector. Preferably, the vector is a prokaryotic expression vector such as pTrcHisA or pGEX-STOP (a pGEX expression vector (Amrad/Pharmacia Biotech) which has been manipulated so as to result in truncation of the GST moiety, disclosed in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PN8272/86, dated Feb. 26, 1996). Whilst the host cell is preferably a prokaryotic cell, more preferably a bacterium such as E. coli, it will be understood that the host cell may alternatively be a yeast or other eukaryotic cell, or insect cells infected with baculovirus or the like.

Once recombinant DNA cloning vehicles and/or host cells expressing a polyprotein construct of this invention have been identified, the expressed polypeptides synthesised by the host cells, for example, as a fusion protein, can be isolated substantially free of contaminating host cell components by techniques well known to those skilled in the art.

The polyprotein construct-encoding DNA sequence is formed by linking or “fusing” sequences encoding each of the individual protein moieties. The first sequence in the polyprotein DNA construction has a promoter element and a ribosome binding site. These elements assure that transcription of the polyprotein DNA into mRNA begins at a defined site and that the signal, the ribosome binding site, needed for translation of mRNA into protein is present. Synthesis of the polyprotein is made continuous from one protein component to the next by removing or altering any initiation or binding signals and stop codons from the subsequent protein-encoding sequences. The stop codon, normally a signal for the ribosome to stop translation and to end the polypeptide, is not altered or removed from the last DNA sequence. The individual protein encoding sequences are jointed such that a proper phasing is made of the mRNA reading frames for translation of the sequence into the desired amino acids. Once a DNA sequence encoding a polyprotein construct or a “polyprotein gene” is made, it is necessary to demonstrate that the construction leads to production of a stable polyprotein construct. If the resulting protein is not stable, for example because the junctions between the proteins are vulnerable to proteolytic digestion, then the junction regions are modified. This can be done by inserting different amino acids at or near the junction or by building spacers of amino acids between the individual proteins. Linkers or spacers can also be introduced to modify the overall activity of the polyprotein. By adjusting the space between and orientation of the individual proteins it is possible to modify the total activity of the polyprotein construct. Further details of the preparation of polyprotein constructs of the present invention by recombinant DNA techniques are disclosed, by way of example, in U.S. Pat. No. No. 4,774,180, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to amplify the nucleotide sequences encoding each of the individual PV early ORF proteins. The nucleotide sequences which are amplified may be full length or non full-length fragments thereof. Restriction endonuclease sites may be incorporated in the oligonucleotide primers used for PCR to furnish directional ligation of the amplification products in the same translational frame and to enable directional cloning into a suitable expression vector. The primers may encode an artificial initiator codon or a termination codon.

The first nucleotide sequence has an initiator codon. This initiator codon may either be the normal wild-type initiator codon of the first sequence or may be inserted artificially at another chosen position of this sequence. Synthesis of the polyprotein construct is made continuous from one protein component to the next by removing or altering any initiation or binding signals and termination codons. The termination codon must be present in the last nucleotide sequence. This is effected normally by not altering or removing the termination codon of the last nucleotide sequence. However, this termination codon may be inserted artificially, by methods known to persons skilled in the art, by first removing the normal, wild-type termination codon of the last nucleotide sequence and inserting another, in the correct reading frame, at another position of this sequence.

The polyprotein construct-encoding DNA sequence may incorporate restriction sites at the flanking ends to facilitate insertion of the DNA sequence into a suitable expression vector.

The PV can be a human or an animal PV, and is preferably HPV. The HPV may be of any genotype, and may for example be selected from the group consisting of HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-33, HPV-35, HPV-31 and HPV45. Preferably, the HPV is HPV-6 or HPV-11.

The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, directed to polyprotein constructs comprising early ORF proteins of the HPV-6 and HPV-11 genotypes which are causative agents of condylomata acuminata, however it will be appreciated that the invention extends to variants of the corresponding proteins in other HPV genotypes, particularly the HPV-16 and HPV-18 genotypes, and other genotypes which have oncogenic potential of a type similar to HPV-16 and HPV-18.

The polyprotein constructs of the present invention may comprise early ORF proteins of a single HPV genotype, or alternatively they may comprise early ORF proteins from more than one HPV genotype. In addition, a combination of more than one polyprotein construct may be used in cases where not all early ORF proteins are represented in the one polyprotein construct, or where immune responses to more than one HPV genotype are desired.

The polyprotein constructs of the present invention are provided as isolated proteins, that is they are substantially free of other PV proteins, and find particular utility for the treatment of genital warts, cervical cancer or other conditions caused by HPV in man. The polyprotein constructs can be included in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases involving HPV as well as the other conditions discussed above.

The polyprotein constructs of the invention may be used to raise antibodies and/or induce cellular immune responses, either in subjects for which protection against infection by PV is desired, i.e. as prophylactic vaccines, or to heighten the immune response to an PV infection already present, i.e. as therapeutic vaccines. They also can be injected into production species to obtain antisera. In lieu of the polyclonal antisera obtained in the production species, monoclonal antibodies may be produced using the standard methods or by more recent modifications thereof by immortalising spleen or other antibody-producing cells for injection into animals to obtain antibody-producing clones. The polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies obtained, corrected if necessary for species variations, can also be used as therapeutic agents.

Direct administration of the polyprotein constructs to a host animal such as a human can confer either protective immunity against PV or, if the subject is already infected, a boost to the subject's own immune response to more effectively combat the progress of the PV induced disease.

The magnitude of the prophylactic or therapeutic dose of a polyprotein constructs of this invention will, of course, vary with the group of patients (age, sex, etc.), the nature or the severity of the condition to be treated and with the particular polyprotein construct and its route of administration. In general, the weekly dose range for use lies within tie range of from about 0.1 to about 5 μg per kg body weight of a mammal.

Any suitable route of administration may be employed for providing a mammal, especially a human, with an effective dosage of a polyprotein construct of this invention. For example, oral, rectal, vaginal, topical, parenteral, ocular, nasal, sublingual, bucccal, intravenous and the like may be employed. Dosage forms include tablets, troches, dispersions, suspensions, solutions, capsules, creams, ointments, suppositories, aerosols and the like. Said dosage forms also include injected or implanted slow releasing devices specifically designed for this purpose or other forms of implants modified to additionally act in this fashion.

If the polyprotein constructs are to be administered as vaccines, they are formulated according to conventional methods for such administration to the subject to be protected. The polyprotein constructs may be delivered in accordance with this invention in ISCOMS™ (immune stimulating complexes), liposomes or encapsulated in compounds such as acrylates or poly(DL-lactide-co-glycoside) to form microsphers. They may also be incorporated into oily emulsions and delivered orally.

Other adjuvants, as well as conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, buffers or diluents, may also be included in vaccine compositions of this invention. Generally, a vaccine composition in accordance with the present invention will comprise an immunologically effective amount of the polyprotein construct, and optionally an adjuvant, in conjunction with one or more conventional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents. An extensive though not exhaustive list of adjuvants can be found in Coulter and Cox, “Advances in Adjuvant Technology and Application”, in Animal Parasite Control Utilizing Biotechnology, Chapter 4, Ed. Young, W. K., CRC Press, 1992. As used herein “pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or diluents” include any and all solvents, dispersion media, aqueous solutions, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutical active substances is well known in the art and is described by way of example in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Edition, Mack Publishing Company, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

In practical use, a polyprotein construct of this invention can be combined as the active ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The carrier may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration, e.g. oral or parenteral (including intravenous and intra-arterial). In preparing the compositions for oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed, such as, for example, water glycols, oils, alcohols, flavouring agents, preservatives, colouring agents and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations, such as, for example, suspensions, elixirs and solutions; or carriers such as starches, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of oral solid preparations such as, for example, powders, capsules and tablets. Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. If desired, tablets may be sugar-coated or enteric-coated by standard techniques.

In addition to the common dosage forms set out above, the polyprotein constructs of this invention may also be administered by controlled release means and/or delivery devices, including by way of example, the controlled release preparations disclosed in International Patent Specification No. PCT/AU93/00677 (Publication No. WO 94/15636)

Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention suitable for oral or parenteral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient, as a powder or granules or as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid, a non-aqueous liquid, an oil-in-water emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. Such compositions may be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy but all methods include the step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier which constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired presentation.

Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following Example(s). It is to be understood, however, that this detailed description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention, and should not be understood in any way as a restriction on the broad description of the invention as set out above.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Amplification and Cloning of Early Open Reading Frames (ORFs) of HPV6b

A clone containing the entire genome of HPV6b in pBR322 (de Villiers, 1981, J. Virol, 40:932) was used as the template for separate PCR amplifications of E6, E7, E5a, E5b, E1, E2 and E4 open reading frame (ORF) sequences.

Appropriate restriction enzyme recognition sequences were included in the oligonucleotides used for amplification (Table I; 1-7) to allow sequential assembly of these amplified early gene sequences into a ‘polyprotein’ sequence as depicted in FIG. 1A.

In this scheme, E6 was amplified with oligonucleotides containing a Smal site at the 5′ end and HindIII, NcoI and XbaI sites at the 3′ end. As well, E4 was amplified with oligonucleotides containing XbaI, SacI, KpnI and SpeI sites 5′ and a BglII site 3′.

These amplified fragments were cloned as SmaI/XbaI (E6) and XbaI/BglII (E4) (FIG. 1B) in the vector pSP70 (Promega Corporation) which had been modified by removal of an EcoRV/EcoRI fragment to contain a portion of the pGEM3Zf (Promega Corporation) polylinker—HindII through EcoRI. As well, unwanted sites upstream of the SmaI site were removed by cleaving with SmaI/XhoI and insertion of a SmaI/SalI/XhoI linker to create the vector pSP70 (MOD).

The E6/E4 cassette was able to be removed by cleavage with Smal/BglII and this was then cloned for expression into the pGEX-STOP vector which produces a non-fusion protein with a C-terminal six-histidine sequence for purification purposes.

Using the introduced restriction enzyme recognition sequences, other early ORF sequences were incorporated into the E6/E4 cassette cloned into pSP70 (MOD) and then the newly created cassette cloned as a SmaI/BglII fragment into pGEX-STOP.

In this manner polyprotein constructs containing E6/E5a/E4, E6/E7/E4 E6/E7/E5a/E4, E6/E7/E1/E4 and E61E7/E5a/E/E4 were assembled. Complete DNA sequence data for the first three constructs is included and sequence data across the junctions of E1is included for the latter two. DNA sequencing revealed the SpeI site was inactivated by a single base change which occurred either during oligonucleotide synthesis, PCR or cloning.

As well the tetrafusion construct of E6/E7/E5a/E4 was cloned for expression into pET23b (Novagen) by firstly subcloning the tetramer as a Smal/BglII fragment into the SmaI/BamHI sites of the vector pRIT2T (AMRAD Pharmacia Biotech). The tetramer was then removed by restriction with Smal and Sa/l and cloned into the HincII/XhoI sites of the vector pET23b.

A further construct containing E2 and E5b, but which could also accommodate the addition of E1and E5a, was created by amplifying E2 with oligonucleotides containing a Smal site at the 5′ end and XbaI, NcoI, KpnI and SacI, sites at the 3′ end (Table 1; 8) and with E5b amplified using oligonucleotides with an XbaI site 5′ and XhoI, BglII sites 3′ (Table 1; 9). These amplified fragments were then cloned into pSP70 (MOD) as depicted in FIG. 1C.

TABLE 1 Oligonucleotides used for PCR Early gene Forward Reverse 1 E6 ^(5′)GCGCCCCGGGATGGAAAGTGC ^(5′)GCGCTCTAGACCATGGAAGCT AAATGCCTC^(3′) TGGGTAACATGTCTTCCATGC^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 1) (SEQ ID. No.2) 2 E4 ^(5′)GCGCTCTAGAGAGCTCGGTACC ^(5′)GCGCAGATCTTAGGCGTAGCT ACTAGTGGAGCACCAAACATTGG GAACTGTTAC^(3′) GAAG^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 5) (SEQ ID No. 4) 3 E5a ^(5′)GCGCCCATGGGAAGTGGTGCCT ^(5′)GCGCTCTAGATTGCTGTGTGG GTACAAATAGC^(3′) TAACAATATAG^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 5) (SEQ ID No. 6) 4 E7 ^(5′)GCGCAAGCTTCATGGAAGACAT ^(5′)GCGCCCATGGGGTCTTCGGT GTTACCCTAAAG^(3′) GCGCAGATGG^(3′‘) (SEQ ID No. 7) (SEQ ID No. 8) 5 E1 ^(5′)GCGCGAGCTCGCGGACGATTCA ^(5′)GCGCGGTACCTAAAGTTCTAA GGTACAGAAAATG^(3′) CAACTGTTCCTG^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 9) (SEQ ID No. 10) 6 E2 ^(5′)GCGCGGTACCGAAGCAATAGCC ^(5′)GCGCACTAGTCAATAGGTGCA AAGCGTTTAG^(3′) GTGACATAAATC^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 11) (SEQ ID No. 12) 7 E5b ^(5′)GCGCTCTAGACTAACATGTCAAT 5′GCGCGAGCTCATTCATATATA TTAATGATG^(3′) TATAATCACC^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 13) (SEQ ID No. 14) 8 E2 ^(5′)GCGCCCCGGGATGGAAGCAATA ^(5′)GCGCTCTAGACCATGGGGTAC GCCAAGCG^(3′) CGAGCTCCAATAGGTGCAGTG ACATAAATC^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 15) (SEQ ID No. 16) 9 E5b ^(5′)GCGCTCTAGACTAACATGTCAAT ^(5′)GCGCAGATCTCTCGAGATTCA TTAATGATG^(3′) TATATATATAATCAC^(3′) (SEQ ID No. 17) (SEQ ID No. 18)

Example 2 Expression of Different Polyprotein Constructs

The following constructs in pGEX-STOP were expressed in E. coli strain BL21 and protein production was assayed by PAGE followed by Western blotting:

i) E6/E4

ii) E6/E5a/E4

iii) E6/E7/E4

iv) E6/E7/E5a/E4

Construct (iv) in pET23b, expressed in E. coli strains BL21(DE3)pLysS and AD494(DE3)pLysS (Novagen), was also assayed for protein production by Western blotting and also by Coomassie Blue staining for the latter strain.

Cultures of 200 mL were grown in Terrific broth (Tartoff and Hobbs, Focus, 9: 12, 1987) in the presence of 100 μg/mL ampicillin (BL21) and 34 μg/ml cloramphenicol [BL21(DE3)pLysS] and 15 μg/mL kanamycin [AD494( DE3)pLysS]. At OD₆₀₀˜1 protein expression was induced by the addition of IPTG to 0.4 mM. Following induction samples were taken at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours and in some cases after overnight culture.

FIG. 2 shows a Western blot result for the E6/E4 construct. This was probed with a polyclonal rabbit anti-E4 antibody (MWE4 —raised to the peptide LGNEHEESNSPLATPCVWPT (SEQ ID. NO: 48) conjugated to ovalbumin). An immunoreactive band of ˜30 kDa was present in the 4 hour-induced sample (lanes 2 & 4, arrow) which was not present in the uninduced sample (lane 3).

The same ˜3 kDa band can also be seen in the induced sample in FIG. 3, lane 3, arrow (lane 2-uninduced) while the E6/E5a/E4 trimer construct of ˜40 kDa was poorly represented after a 4 hour induction period (lane 5, arrow; uninduced sample-lane 4) using the same anti-E4 antibody.

In contrast however, a trimer construct of E6/E7/E4 (˜41 kDa) could be easily detected after 5 hours induction using an anti-hexahistidine monoclonal antibody (Dianova) [FIG. 4, lane 4, arrow; uninduced sample—lane 3].

The same trimer construct was again easily visualised after 5 hours induction using the anti-E4 antibody MWE4 (FIG. 5, lane TRI, arrow; control sample—lane C) and the tetramer consisting of E6/E7/E5a/E4 (˜51 kDa) could also be detected (lane TET, arrow). Although this band is weak, it must be noted that a considerable amount of high molecular weight material is also immunoreactive, indicating the tetramer is reasonably well expressed but possibly prone to aggregation.

FIG. 6 indicates that an anti-E6 antibody (prepared as described below) was able to detect E6/E7/E4 after 5 hours induction (lane TRI, arrow) but not E6/E7/E5a/E4 (lane TET; lane C—uninduced). However, an anti-E7 antibody (prepared as described below) was able to detect after 5 hours induction both the trimer (FIG. 7, lane TRI, arrow; lane C—uninduced) and the tetramer (lane TET, arrow; lane C—uninduced), with the latter again showing indications of aggregation. A monoclonal antibody raised to an E4 peptide also recognised the trimer.

The phenomenon of aggregation was clearly apparent when the E6/E7/E5a/E4 tetramer was expressed in the pET23b plasmid in BL21 (DE3)pLysS (FIG. 8—a Western blot probed with MWE4). Lanes 2-5 are 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour and overnight uninduced samples and lanes 6-9 represent 1 hour, 2 hour, 3 hour and overnight induced samples. After 1 hour induction a band of E6/E7/E5a/E4 can clearly be seen (arrow), but with increased times of induction this seems to decrease and aggregated forms are increased. In contrast, when strain AD494(DE3)pLysS was used to express the tetramer, a substantial signal was obtained at the ˜50 kDa position on a Western blot of the insoluble fraction (FIG. 9, arrow) following 2 hours induction, which still persisted at 3 hours. Th, immunoreactive band was not present in control samples and no protein was detected in the samples from the soluble fractions.

FIG. 10 shows the Coomassie stained profile of an identical gel, indicating that the immunoreactive bands present after 2 and 3 hours induction (FIG. 9) can clearly be visualised as stained bands (arrow) which are not present in the control samples.

Example 3 DNA Sequencing of Polyprotein Constructs

Polyprotein constructs were sequenced in both directions by the dideoxy method using primers that generated overlapping sequence information. The ^(T7)Sequencing™ Kit (Pharmacia was used to generate ³⁵S-labelled chain-terminated fragments which were analysed on a Sequi-Gen™ (Biorad) electrophoretic gel apparatus. The DNA and corresponding amino acid sequences for E6/E5a/E4 (CSL690.SEQ), E6/E7/E4 (CSL760.SEQ) and E6/E7/E5a/E4 (CSL673.SEQ) are shown below. (SEQ ID Nos: 19 and 20, 21 and 22, and 23 and 24, respectively).

For constructs E6/E7/E1/E4 (CSL 791) and E6/E7/E5a/E1/E4 (CSL 762), which were created from E6/E7/E4 and E6/E7/E5a/E4, respectively, DNA sequence analysis across the junctions of E1with its neighbours is shown below (SEQ ID Nos. 25 and 26, 27 and 28, and 29 and 30, respectively).

File: CSL690.SEQ Range: 1-11  Mode: Normal Codon Table: Universal E6/E5a/E4-SEQ ID Nos, 19 (DNA) and 20 (amino acid)           9          18          27          36          45          54 5′ ATG GAA AGT GCA AAT GCC TCC ACG TCT GCA ACG ACC ATA GAC CAG TTG TGC AAG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Met Glu Ser Ala Asn Ala Ser Thr Ser Ala Thr Thr Ile Asp Gln Leu Cys Lys          63          72          81          90          99         108 ACG TTT AAT CTA TCT ATG CAT ACG TTG CAA ATT AAT TGT GTG TTT TGC AAG AAT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Thr Phe Asn Leu Ser Met His Thr Leu Gln Ile Asn Cys Val Phe Cys Lys Asn         117         126         135         144         153         162 GCA CTG ACC ACA GCA GAG ATT TAT TCA TAT GCA TAT AAA CAC CTA AAG GTC CTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Leu Thr Thr Ala Glu Ile Tyr Ser Tyr Ala Tyr Lys His Leu Lys Val Leu         171         180         189         198         207         216 TTT CGA GGC GGC TAT CCA TAT GCA GCC TGC GCG TGC TGC CTA GAA TTT CAT GGA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Phe Arg Gly Gly Tyr Pro Tyr Ala Ala Cys Ala Cys Cys Leu Glu Phe His Gly         225         234         243         252         261         270 AAA ATA AAC CAA TAT AGA CAC TTT GAT TAT GCT GGA TAT GCA ACA ACA GTT GAA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Lys Ile Asn Gln Tyr Arg His Phe Asp Tyr Ala Gly Tyr Ala Thr Thr Val Glu         279         288         297         306         315         324 GAA GAA ACT AAA CAA GAC ATC TTA GAC GTG CTA ATT CGG TGC TAC CTG TGT CAC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Glu Glu Thr Lys Gln Asp Ile Leu Asp Val Leu Ile Arg Cys Tyr Leu Cys His         333         342         351         360         369         378 AAA CCG CTG TGT GAA GTA GAA AAG GTA AAA CAT ATA CTA ACC AAG GCG CGG TTC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Lys Pro Leu Cys Giu Val Glu Lys Val Lys His Ile Leu Thr Lys Ala Arg Phe         387         396         405         414         423         432 ATA AAG CTA AAT TGT ACG TGG AAG GGT CGC TGC CTA CAC TGC TGG ACA ACA TGC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ile Lys Leu Asn Cys Thr Trp Lys Gly Arg Cys Leu His Cys Trp Thr Thr Cys         441         450         459         468         477         486 ATG GAA GAC ATG TTA CCC AAG CTT CCA TGG GAA GTG GTG CCT GTA CAA ATA GCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Met Glu Asp Met Leu Pro Lys Leu Pro Trp Glu Val Val Pro Val Gln Ile Ala         495         504         513         522         531         540 GCA GGA ACA ACC AGC ACA TTC ATA CTG CCT GTT ATA ATT GCA TTT GTT GTA TGT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Gly Thr Thr Ser Thr Phe Ile Leu Pro Val Ile Ile Ala Phe Val Val Cys         549         558         567         576         585         594 TTT GTT AGC ATC ATA CTT ATT GTA TGG ATA TCT GAG TTT ATT GTG TAC ACA TCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Phe Val Ser Ile Ile Leu Ile Val Trp Ile Ser Glu Phe Ile Val Tyr Thr Ser         603         612         621         630         639         648 GTG CTA GTA CTA ACA CTG CTT TTA TAT TTA CTA TTG TGG CTG CTA TTA ACA ACC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Leu Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Leu Tyr Leu Leu Leu Trp Leu Leu Leu Thr Thr         657         666         675         684         693         702 CCC TTG CAA TTT TTC CTA CTA ACT CTA CTT GTG TGT TAC TGT CCC GCA TTG TAT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Pro Leu Gln Phe Phe Leu Leu Thr Leu Leu Val Cys Tyr Cys Pro Ala Leu Tyr         711         720         729         738         747         756 ATA CAC TAC TAT ATT GTT ACC ACA CAG CAA TCT AGA GAG CTC GGT ACC ACT AAT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ile His Tyr Tyr Ile Val Thr Thr Gln Gln Ser Arg Glu Leu Gly Thr Thr Asn         765         774         783         792         801         810 GGA GCA CCA AAC ATT GGG AAG TAT GTT ATG GCA GCA CAG TTA TAT GTT CTC CTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Gly Ala Pro Asn Ile Gly Lys Tyr Val Met Ala Ala Gln Leu Tyr Val Leu Leu         819         828         837         846         855         864 CAT CTG TAT CTA GCA CTA CAC AAG AAG TAT CCA TTC CTG AAT CTA CTA CAT ACA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- His Leu Tyr Leu Ala Leu His Lys Lys Tyr Pro Phe Leu Asn Leu Leu His Thr         873         882         891         900         909         918 CCC CCG CAC AGA CCT CCA CCC TTG TGT CCT CAA GCA CCA AGG AAG ACG CAG TGC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Pro Pro His Arg Pro Pro Pro Leu Cys Pro Gln Ala Pro Arg Lys Thr Gln Cys         927         936         945         954         963         972 AAA CGC CGC CTA GGA AAC GAG CAC GAG GAG TCC AAC AGT CCC CTT GCA ACG CCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Lys Arg Arg Leu Gly Asn Glu His Glu Glu Ser Asn Ser Pro Leu Ala Thr Pro         981         990         999        1008        1017        1026 TGT GTG TGG CCC ACA TTG GAC CCG TGG ACA GTG GAA ACC ACA ACC TCA TCA CTA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Cys Val Trp Pro Thr Leu Asp Pro Trp Thr Val Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Ser Leu        1035        1044        1053        1062        1071        1080 ACA ATC ACG ACC AGC ACC AAA GAC GGA ACA ACA GTA ACA GTT CAG CTA CGC CTA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Thr Ile Thr Thr Ser Thr Lys Asp Gly Thr Thr Val Thr Val Gln Leu Arg Leu         1089       1098        1107 AGA TCT CAT CAC CAT CAC CAT CAC TAA 3′ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Arg Ser His His His His His His *** File : CSL760.SEQ Range: 1-1128   Mode: Normal Codon Table: Universal E6/E7/E4-SEQ ID Nos. 21 (DNA) and 22 (amino acid)           9          18          27          36          45          54 5′ ATG GAA AGT GCA AAT GCC TCC ACG TCT GCA ACG ACC ATA GAC CAG TTG TGC AAG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Met Glu Ser Ala Asn Ala Ser Thr Ser Ala Thr Thr Ile Asp Gln Leu Cys Lys          63          72          81          90          99         108 ACG TTT AAT CTA TCT ATG CAT ACG TTG CAA ATT AAT TGT GTG TTT TGC AAG AAT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Thr Phe Asn Leu Ser Met His Thr Leu Gln Ile Asn Cys Val Phe Cys Lys Asn         117         126         135         144         153         162 GCA CTG ACC ACA GCA GAG ATT TAT TCA TAT GCA TAT AAA CAC CTA AAG GTC CTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Leu Thr Thr Ala Glu Ile Tyr Ser Tyr Ala Tyr Lys His Leu Lys Val Leu         171         180         189         198         207         216 TTT CGA GGC GGC TAT CCA TAT GCA GCC TGC GCG TGC TGC CTA GAA TTT CAT GGA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Phe Arg Gly Gly Tyr Pro Tyr Ala Ala Cys Ala Cys Cys Leu Glu Phe His Gly         225         234         243         252         261         270 AAA ATA AAC CAA TAT AGA CAC TTT GAT TAT GCT GGA TAT GCA ACA ACA GTT GAA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Lys Ile Asn Gln Tyr Arg His Phe Asp Tyr Ala Gly Tyr Ala Thr Thr Val Glu         279         288         297         306         315         324 GAA GAA ACT AAA CAA GAC ATC TTA GAC GTG CTA ATT CGG TGC TAC CTG TGT CAC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Glu Glu Thr Lys Gln Asp Ile Leu Asp Val Leu Ile Arg Cys Tyr Leu Cys His         333         342         351         360         369         378 AAA CCG CTG TGT GAA GTA GAA AAG GTA AAA CAT ATA CTA ACC AAG GCG CGG TTC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Lys Pro Leu Cys Glu Val Glu Lys Val Lys His Ile Leu Thr Lys Ala Arg Phe         387         396         405         414         423         432 ATA AAG CTA AAT TGT ACG TGG AAG GGT CGC TGC CTA CAC TGC TGG ACA ACA TGC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ile Lys Leu Asn Cys Thr Trp Lys Gly Arg Cys Leu His Cys Trp Thr Thr Cys         441         450         459         468         477         486 ATG GAA GAC ATG TTA CCC AAG CTT CAT GGA AGA CAT GTT ACC CTA AAG GAT ATT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Met Glu Asp Met Leu Pro Lys Leu His Gly Arg His Val Thr Leu Lys Asp Ile         495         504         513         522         531         540 GTA TTA GAC CTG CAA CCT CCA GAC CCT GTA GGG TTA CAT TGC TAT GAG CAA TTA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Leu Asp Leu Gln Pro Pro Asp Pro Val Gly Leu His Cys Tyr Glu Gln Leu         549         558         567         576         585         594 GTA GAC AGC TCA GAA GAT GAG GTG GAC GAA GTG GAC GGA CAA GAT TCA CAA CCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Asp Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Val Asp Glu Val Asp Gly Gln Asp Ser Gln Pro         603         612         621         630         639         648 TTA AAA CAA CAT TTC CAA ATA GTG ACC TGT TGC TGT GGA TGT GAC AGC AAC GTT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Leu Lys Gln His Phe Gln Ile Val Thr Cys Cys Cys Gly Cys Asp Ser Asn Val         657         666         675         684         693         702 CGA CTG GTT GTG CAG TGT ACA GAA ACA GAC ATC AGA GAA GTG CAA CAG CTT CTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Arg Leu Val Val Gln Cys Thr Glu Thr Asp Ile Arg Glu Val Gln Gln Leu Leu         711         720         729         738         747         756 TTG GGA ACA CTA AAC ATA GTG TGT CCC ATC TGC GCA CCG AAG ACC CCA TGG TCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Leu Gly Thr Leu Asn Ile Val Cys Pro Ile Cys Ala Pro Lys Thr Pro Trp Ser         765         774         783         792         801         810 AGA GAG CTC GGT ACC ACT AAT GGA GCA CCA AAC ATT GGG AAG TAT GTT ATG GCA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Arg Glu Leu Gly Thr Thr Asn Gly Ala Pro Asn Ile Gly Lys Tyr Val Met Ala         819         828         837         846         855         864 GCA CAG TTA TAT GTT CTC CTG CAT CTG TAT CTA GCA CTA CAC AAG AAG TAT CCA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Gln Leu Tyr Val Leu Leu His Leu Tyr Leu Ala Leu His Lys Lys Tyr Pro         873         882         891         900         909         918 TTC CTG AAT CTA CTA CAT ACA CCC CCG CAC AGA CCT CCA CCC TTG TGT CCT CAA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Phe Leu Asn Leu Leu His Thr Pro Pro His Arg Pro Pro Pro Leu Cys Pro Gln         927         936         945         954         963         972 GCA CCA AGG AAG ACG CAG TGC AAA CGC CGC CTA GGA AAC GAG CAC GAG GAG TCC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Pro Arg Lys Thr Gln Cys Lys Arg Arg Leu Gly Asn Glu His Glu Glu Ser         981         990         999        1008        1017        1026 AAC AGT CCC CTT GCA ACG CCT TGT GTG TGG CCC ACA TTG GAC CCG TGG ACA GTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Asn Ser Pro Leu Ala Thr Pro Cys Val Trp Pro Thr Leu Asp Pro Trp Thr Val        1035        1044        1053        1062        1071        1080 GAA ACC ACA ACC TCA TCA CTA ACA ATC ACG ACC AGC ACC AAA GAC GGA ACA ACA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Ser Leu Thr Ile Thr Thr Ser Thr Lys Asp Gly Thr Thr        1089        1098        1107        1116        1125 GTA ACA GTT CAG CTA CGC CTA AGA TCT CAT CAC CAT CAC CAT CAC TAA 3′ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Thr Val Gln Leu Arg Leu Arg Ser His His His His His His *** File: CSL673.DNA Range: 1-13  Mode: Normal Codon Table: Universal E6/E7/E5a/E4-SEQ ID Nos. 23 (DNA) and 24 (amino acid)           9          18          27          36          45          54 5′ ATG GAA AGT GCA AAT GCC TCC ACG TCT GCA ACG ACC ATA GAC CAG TTG TGC AAG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Met Glu Ser Ala Asn Ala Ser Thr Ser Ala Thr Thr Ile Asp Gln Leu Cys Lys          63          72          81          90          99         108 ACG TTT AAT CTA TCT ATG CAT ACG TTG CAA ATT AAT TGT GTG TTT TGC AAG AAT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Thr Phe Asn Leu Ser Met His Thr Leu Gln Ile Asn Cys Val Phe Cys Lys Asn         117         126         135         144         153         162 GCA CTG ACC ACA GCA GAG ATT TAT TCA TAT GCA TAT AAA CAC CTA AAG GTC CTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Leu Thr Thr Ala Glu Ile Tyr Ser Tyr Ala Tyr Lys His Leu Lys Val Leu         171         180         189         198         207         216 TTT CGA GGC GGC TAT CCA TAT GCA GCC TGC GCG TGC TGC CTA GAA TTT CAT GGA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Phe Arg Gly Gly Tyr Pro Tyr Ala Ala Cys Ala Cys Cys Leu Glu Phe His Gly         225         234         243         252         261         270 AAA ATA AAC CAA TAT AGA CAC TTT GAT TAT GCT GGA TAT GCA ACA ACA GTT GAA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Lys Ile Asn Gln Tyr Arg His Phe Asp Tyr Ala Gly Tyr Ala Thr Thr Val Glu         279         288         297         306         315         324 GAA GAA ACT AAA CAA GAC ATC TTA GAC GTG CTA ATT CGG TGC TAC CTG TGT CAC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Glu Glu Thr Lys Gln Asp Ile Leu Asp Val Leu Ile Arg Cys Tyr Leu Cys His         333         342         351         360         369         378 AAA CCG CTG TGT GAA GTA GAA AAG GTA AAA CAT ATA CTA ACC AAG GCG CGG TTC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Lys Pro Leu Cys Glu Val Glu Lys Val Lys His Ile Leu Thr Lys Ala Arg Phe         387         396         405         414         423         432 ATA AAG CTA AAT TGT ACG TGG AAG GGT CGC TGC CTA CAC TGC TGG ACA ACA TGC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ile Lys Leu Asn Cys Thr Trp Lys Gly Arg Cys Leu His Cys Trp Thr Thr Cys         441         450         459         468         477         486 ATG GAA GAC ATG TTA CCC AAG CTT CAT GGA AGA CAT GTT ACC CTA AAG GAT ATT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Met Glu Asp Met Leu Pro Lys Leu His Gly Arg His Val Thr Leu Lys Asp Ile         495         504         513         522         531         540 GTA TTA GAC CTG CAA CCT CCA GAC CCT GTA GGG TTA CAT TGC TAT GAG CAA TTA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Leu Asp Leu Gln Pro Pro Asp Pro Val Gly Leu His Cys Tyr Glu Gln Leu         549         558         567         576         585         594 GTA GAC AGC TCA GAA GAT GAG GTG GAC GAA GTG GAC GGA CAA GAT TCA CAA CCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Asp Ser Ser Glu Asp Glu Val Asp Glu Val Asp Gly Gln Asp Ser Gln Pro         603         612         621         630         639         648 TTA AAA CAA CAT TTC CAA ATA GTG ACC TGT TGC TGT GGA TGT GAC AGC AAC GTT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Leu Lys Gln His Phe Gln Ile Val Thr Cys Cys Cys Gly Cys Asp Ser Asn Val         657         666         675         684         693         702 CGA CTG GTT GTG CAG TGT ACA GAA ACA GAC ATC AGA GAA GTG CAA CAG CTT CTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Arg Leu Val Val Gln Cys Thr Glu Thr Asp Ile Arg Glu Val Gln Gln Leu Leu         711         720         729         738         747         756 TTG GGA ACA CTA AAC ATA GTG TGT CCC ATC TGC GCA CCG AAG ACC CCA TGG GAA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Leu Gly Thr Leu Asn Ile Val Cys Pro Ile Cys Ala Pro Lys Thr Pro Trp Glu         765         774         783         792         801         810 GTG GTG CCT GTA CAA ATA GCT GCA GGA ACA ACC AGC ACA TTC ATA CTG CCT GTT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Val Pro Val Gln Ile Ala Ala Gly Thr Thr Ser Thr Phe Ile Leu Pro Val         819         828         837         846         855         864 ATA ATT GCA TTT GTT GTA TGT TTT GTT AGC ATC ATA CTT ATT GTA TGG ATA TCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ile Ile Ala Phe Val Val Cys Phe Val Ser Ile Ile Leu Ile Val Trp Ile Ser         873         882         891         900         909         918 GAG TTT ATT GTG TAC ACA TCT GTG CTA GTA CTA ACA CTG CTT TTA TAT TTA CTA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Glu Phe Ile Val Tyr Thr Ser Val Leu Val Leu Thr Leu Leu Leu Tyr Leu Leu         927         936         945         954         963         972 TTG TGG CTG CTA TTA ACA ACC CCC TTG CAA TTT TTC CTA CTA ACT CTA CTT GTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Leu Trp Leu Leu Leu Thr Thr Pro Leu Gln Phe Phe Leu Leu Thr Leu Leu Val         981         990         999        1008        1017        1026 TGT TAC TGT CCC GCA TTG TAT ATA CAC TAC TAT ATT GTT ACC ACA CAG CAA TCT --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Cys Tyr Cys Pro Ala Leu Tyr Ile His Tyr Tyr Ile Val Thr Thr Gln Gln Ser        1035        1044        1053        1062        1071        1080 AGA GAG CTC GGT ACC ACT AAT GGA GCA CCA AAC ATT GGG AAG TAT GTT ATG GCA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Arg Glu Leu Gly Thr Thr Asn Gly Ala Pro Asn Ile Gly Lys Tyr Val Met Ala        1089        1098        1107        1116        1125        1134 GCA CAG TTA TAT GTT CTC CTG CAT CTG TAT CTA GCA CTA CAC AAG AAG TAT CCA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Gln Leu Tyr Val Leu Leu His Leu Tyr Leu Ala Leu His Lys Lys Tyr Pro        1143        1152        1161        1170        1179        1188 TTC CTG AAT CTA CTA CAT ACA CCC CCG CAC AGA CCT CCA CCC TTG TGT CCT CAA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Phe Leu Asn Leu Leu His Thr Pro Pro His Arg Pro Pro Pro Leu Cys Pro Gln        1197        1206        1215        1224        1233        1242 GCA CCA AGG AAG ACG CAG TGC AAA CGC CGC CTA GGA AAC GAG CAC GAG GAG TCC --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Ala Pro Arg Lys Thr Gln Cys Lys Arg Arg Leu Gly Asn Glu His Glu Glu Ser        1251        1260        1269        1278        1287        1296 AAC AGT CCC CTT GCA ACG CCT TGT GTG TGG CCC ACA TTG GAC CCG TGG ACA GTG --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Asn Ser Pro Leu Ala Thr Pro Cys Val Trp Pro Thr Leu Asp Pro Trp Thr Val        1305        1314        1323        1332        1341        1350 GAA ACC ACA ACC TCA TCA CTA ACA ATC ACG ACC AGC ACC AAA GAC GGA ACA ACA --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Ser Leu Thr Ile Thr Thr Ser Thr Lys Asp G1y Thr Thr        1359        1368        1377        1386        1395 GTA ACA GTT CAG CTA CGC CTA AGA TCT CAT CAC CAT CAC CAT CAC TAA 3′ --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- Val Thr Val Gln Leu Arg Leu Arg Ser His His His His His His ***

Junction of E1 and E4 ORFs for CSL791 and CSL762 SEQ ID Nos. 25(DNA) and 26(amino acid)                                                                                               Modified                                                                                        Kpn1    Spe1 5′ GAG GAA GAT GGA AGC AAT AGC CAA GCG TTT AGA TGC GTG CCA GGA ACA GTT GTT AGA ACT TTA GGT ACC ACT AAT GGA GCA CCA AAC ATT GGG AAG TAT GTT ATG GCA 3′    Glu Glu Asp Gly Ser Asn Ser Gln Ala Phe Arg Cys Val Pro Gly Thr Val Val Arg Thr Leu Gly Thr Thr Asn Gly Ala Pro Asn Ile Gly Lys Tyr Val Mer Ala                                                                                   E1                   E4 Junction of E5a and E1 for CSL762 SEQ ID Nos. 27(DNA) and 28(amino acid)                                                                Xba1    Sac1 5′ TGT CCC GCA TTG TAT ATA CAC TAC TAT ATT GTT ACC ACA CAG CAA TCT AGA GAG CTC GCG GAC GAT TCA GGT ACA GAA AAT GAG GGG TCT GGG TGT ACA GGA 3′    Cys Pro Ala Leu Tyr Ile His Tyr Tyr Ile Val Thr Thr Gln Gln Ser Arg Glu Leu Ala Asp Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Asn Glu Gly Ser Gly Cys Thr Gly                                                      E5a                           E1 Junction of E7 and E1 for CSL791 SEQ ID Nos. 29(DNA) and 30(amino acid)                                                                Nco1    Xba1    Sac1 5′ TTG GGA ACA CTA AAC ATA GTG TGT CCC ATC TGC GCA CCG AAG ACC CCA TGG TCT AGA GAG CTC GCG GAC GAT TCA GGT ACA GAA AAT GAG GGG TCT GGG TGT ACA GGA 3′    Leu Gly Thr Leu Asn Ile Val Cys Pro Ile Cys Ala Pro Lys Thr Pro Trp Ser Arg Glu Leu Ala Asp Asp Ser Gly Thr Glu Asn Glu Gly Ser Gly Cys Thr Gly                                                     E7                                  E1

Example 4 Preparation of Antibodies to HPV6b Early ORF Protein Products

The following peptides corresponding to portions of the sequence of the relevant E proteins, were synthesised and conjugated to diphtheria toxoid:

E6 dip. tox-C-QYRHFDYAQYATTVEEETKQDILD (SEQ ID NO:49)

E7 MHGRHVTLKDIVLDLQPPD-C-dip. tox (SEQ ID NO:50)

For the E6 peptide two rabbits (following pre-bleeding) were each inoculated with approximately 54 μg peptide/104 μg diphtheria toxoid in Freund's complete adjuvant followed at 3-weekly intervals by a similar dose of peptide conjugate in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Bleeds were taken one week after the second dose and one week following the third dose. The same regime was used for the E7 peptide using 45 μg peptide/103 μg diphtheria toxoid.

Serum derived from the bleeds were tested for specific antibody in a solid phase EIA against biotin-conjugated peptide which had been bound to plates coated with strepavidin.

Example 5 Purification of Polyprotein E6/E7/E4

The trimer polyprotein E6/E7/E4 was expressed in E. coli BL21 cells by induction of cells at OD₆₀₀˜1 using 0.4 mM IPTG. The cells were harvested by centrifugation (4,000 g, 20 minutes), resuspended in 30 mM Tris pH8.0, disrupted by sonication (MSE, amplitude 18 μm, 4×30 seconds) and inclusion bodies pelleted by centrifugation (12,000 g, 30 minutes). The pellet containing the trimer was solubilized in 8M Urea, 30 mM Tris pH8.0 for 16 hours in the presence of protease inhibitors (Boehringer Cat. No. 1697498) and then centrifuged at 12,000 g for 30 minutes and the supernatant collected. To this, Tris-(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) [Pierce] was added to 1.2 mM final concentration. The supernatant was applied to Q-sepharose HP (Pharmacia) and the column washed with one column volume of 8M Urea, 1.2 mM TCEP, 30 mM Tris pH8.0. Fractions were then eluted using a gradient containing 0 to 1M NaCl in 10 column volumes of the washing buffer. The fractions obtained were examined by Western blot from 4 to 20% SDS-PAGE probed with the anti-E4 antibody MWE4.

FIG. 11 shows a Western blot of material obtained from Q-sepharose. An immunoreactive band of ˜41 kDa is evident in supernatant material from the urea solubilisation lane 3, and in fractions corresponding to 120 to 150 mM NaCl (lanes 8 and 9, arrow).

Supernatant from the urea solublisation was also applied to a column containing Chelating Sepharose Fast Flow (Pharmacia) to take advantage of the C-terminal six histidine sequence. Relatively poor binding of the trimer to the Nickel column was observed under the conditions described. The trimer was eluted from the column using a 0 to 500 mM imidazole gradient.

Example 6

In a further example of the present invention, a DNA sequence coding for a single polyprotein (FIG. 12) is formed by fusion of DNA fragments encoding HPV-6 early ORF proteins wherein the order of the ORFs is E2, E4, E5a, E5b, E6, E7 and E1.

The DNA sequences encoding the early ORF proteins are amplified individually by PCR using HPV-6 genomic DNA using the primers set out in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Gene Oligonucleotides E2 (a) 5′-GTG TGT GAG CTC ATG GAA GCA ATA GCC AAG-3′ (SEQ ID No. 31) and (b) 5′-GTG TGT GTC GAC CAA TAG GTG CAG TGA CAT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 32) E4 (c) 5′-GTG TGT GTC GAC ATG GGA GCA CCA AAC ATT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 33) and 5′-GTG TGT AGA TCT TAG GCG TAG CTG AAC TGT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 34) E5a (e) 5′-GTG TGT AGA TCT ATG GAA GTG GTG CCT GTA-3′ (SEQ ID No. 35) and (f) 5′-GTG TGT CTT AAG TTG CTG TGT GGT AAC AAT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 36) E5b (g) 5′-GTG TGT CTT AAG ATG ATG CTA ACA TGT CAA-3′ (SEQ ID No. 37) and (h) 5′-GTG TGT CCG CGG ATT CAT ATA TAT ATA ATC-3′ (SEQ ID No. 38) E6 (i) 5′-GTG TGT CCG CGG ATG GAA ACT GCA AAT GCC-3′ (SEQ ID No. 39) and (j) 5′-GTG TGT GCT AGC GGG TAA CAT GTC TTC CTA-3′ (SEQ ID No. 40) E7 (k) 5′-GTG TGT GCT AGC ATG CAT GGA AGA CAT GTT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 41) and (l) 5′-GTG TGT CGA TCG GGT CTT CGG TGC GCA GAT-3′ (SEQ ID No. 42) E1 (m) 5′-GTG TGT CGA TCG ATG GCG GAC GAT TCA GGC-3′ (SEQ ID No. 43) and (n) 5′-GTG TGT GGT ACC TCA TAA AGT TCT AAC AAC-3′ (SEQ ID No. 44)

The primers are synthesised to incorporate artificial restriction enzyme sites at the 5′ and 3′ termini of the amplification products. These restriction enzyme sites are used to facilitate the fusion of PCR products encoding the appropriate early ORF proteins in the desired order and in the correct translational frame. The restriction enzyme sites are also used to aid the cloning of the PCR products into the expression vector pTrcHisA. When cloned into this vector, the polyprotein construct is expressed as an N-terminal hexaHis fusion. The nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid sequence of this fusion are shown below (SEQ ID Nos. 45 and 46, respectively). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A polyprotein construct comprising at least two amino acid sequences fused directly or indirectly together, each of said sequences being the sequence of an early open reading frame (ORF) protein of papillomavirus (PV), or an immunogenic variant thereof, or a non-full length fragment that is a deletion mutant of the early ORF protein corresponding to at least 50% of the full length wild-type amino acid sequence, wherein i. said construct does not contain both an E6 and an E7 PV protein sequence; ii. said construct does not contain an L2 PV protein sequence; and iii. when said construct consists of only two early ORF PV protein sequences, said protein sequences are from the same PV type.
 2. A polyprotein construct according to claim 1, wherein said sequences are sequences of early ORF proteins of human PV.
 3. A polyprotein construct according to claim 2, wherein said ORF sequences are selected from the group consisting of the E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, (E5a, E5b), E6, E7 and E8 proteins of PV.
 4. A polyprotein construct according to claim 3, selected from the group consisting of: a. E6/E4 b. E6/E5a/E4 c. E2/E5 d. E2/E1/E5b e. E2/E5a/E5b f. E2/E1/E5a/E5b.
 5. A polyprotein construct according to claim 1, further comprising one or more linker sequences between and/or before and/or after said amino acid sequences.
 6. A polyprotein construct according to claim 5, wherein said linker sequence(s) comprise from 1 to 5 amino acid residues.
 7. A polyprotein construct according to claim 1, further comprising a tag protein or peptide moiety fused or otherwise coupled thereto.
 8. A polyprotein construct according to claim 7, wherein said tag moiety is selected from the group consisting of (His)₆, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and FLAG.
 9. A polyprotein construct according to claim 1, further comprising an adjuvant moiety fused or otherwise coupled thereto.
 10. A polyprotein construct according to claim 9, wherein said adjuvant moiety is selected from diphtheria toxin, cholera toxin, E. coli heat labile toxin (LT) and a non-toxic derivative thereof.
 11. A polyprotein construct according to claim 1, further comprising a lipid binding region.
 12. A polyprotein construct according to claim 11, wherein said lipid binding region is an influenza haemagglutinin tail.
 13. A composition for eliciting a humoral and/or cellular immune response against papillomavirus in a host animal, said composition comprising an immunologically effective amount of a polyprotein construct according to claim 1, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent.
 14. A vaccine composition according to claim 13, further comprising an adjuvant.
 15. A method for eliciting a humoral and/or cellular response against papillomavirus in a host animal, which method comprises administering to the host animal an immunologically effective amount of a polyprotein construct according to claim
 1. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said polyprotein construct is administered in a composition together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said composition further comprises an adjuvant.
 18. A method according to claim 15, wherein said host animal is a human.
 19. A recombinant polyprotein construct prepared by expression in a host cell that is transfected or transformed with a recombinant DNA molecule that comprises an expression control sequence operatively linked to a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a polyprotein construct of claim
 1. 20. A polyprotein construct according to claim 10, wherein said non-toxic derivative is selected from the group consisting of the holotoxoid of cholera toxin, the B-subunit of cholera toxin, the holotoxoid of LT and the B-subunit of LT. 